1 Thessalonians
5:1-11 (paraphrased
in The Message)
1
Now,
brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,
2
for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief
in the night.
3
While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them
suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4
But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise
you like a thief.
5
You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to
the night or to the darkness.
6
So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert
and self-controlled.
7
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk
at night.
8
But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith
and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
9
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through
our Lord Jesus Christ.
10
He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together
with him.
11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact
you are doing.
As
Paraphrased In "The Message"
I
don't think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all
this is going to happen. You know as well as I that the day of the Master's
coming can't be posted on our calendars. He won't call ahead and make an
appointment any more than a burglar would. About the time everybody's walking
around complacently, congratulating each other--"We've sure got it made!
Now we can take it easy!"--suddenly everything will fall apart. It's going
to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.
But
friends, you're not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by
any of this? You're sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide
open skies and know where we stand. So let's not sleepwalk through life
like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep
at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we're creatures of Day,
let's act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith,
love, and the hope of salvation.
God
didn't set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master,
Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we're
awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we're alive with him! So
speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be
together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already
doing this; just keep on doing it.
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